PHILIPPI, W. Va. - The Frostburg State Softball team split their road doubleheader against Alderson Broaddus, dropping the first game 5-1 and taking the second game 7-3 on Friday afternoon.
Both teams recorded a hit to start off game one, but couldn't get any runs on the board. Frostburg was able to put something together in their at-bats of the second, as junior Ryann Darling reached on a fielder's choice, and came around to score on an RBI double from junior Katie Ernst, for an 1-0 FSU lead. Junior Sydney Theobald saw three batters in the bottom of the inning, getting three quick outs, and allowing the Bobcats to remain in the lead.
The Battlers got their offense going in their next at-bats, the bottom of the third, tacking on three runs to gain the lead. FSU was able to get two runners on to start the fourth, but couldn't put anything together to add to their run total. Theobald only gave up one hit in AB's next two at-bats, as Frostburg struggled at the plate as well, as the game remained 3-1 heading into the sixth inning.
AB was able to pick up their rhythm in the bottom of the sixth, tacking on two more runs to their lead. With one more chance at the plate, the Bobcats recorded a hit, but stranded a runner on base, falling in the first game with a final score of 5-1.
Frostburg got off to a strong start in game two as sophomore Laura Gilford led off with a walk, proceeded to steal second, and was sent home on an RBI single from Adren Miller. Miller went on to steal second, allowing her to then score on an RBI single from Ernst. Ernst also was able to advance to second, this time on an error by the Battlers, allowing her to score as well on another Bobcat single, this time from sophomore Adriana Wimmer. AB was able to score one run in their first at-bats, bringing the game to 3-1 after the first inning.
Both teams stayed quiet in the second inning, with sophomore Jamie Roberts knotting her second strikeout of the day from the circle and keeping the Battlers hitless. FSU got going again in the top of the third, as Miller hit a leadoff single, stole second once more, and scored on another RBI single from Ernst. The Bobcats carried that momentum into their at-bats of the fourth, as junior Brianna Munday hit a leadoff single, with sophomore Samara Funk coming in to pinch run. Funk was then able to score from third on a sacrifice fly from Miller, to make the score 5-1.
Roberts kept that momentum going for FSU on defense, seeing three batters for three outs in the bottom of the fourth. Both teams remained hitless and scoreless in the fifth, before Frostburg tacked on two more runs to their lead in the top of the sixth, as sophomore Allyssa Albright sent a two-run shot over the fence for a 7-1 Bobcat lead. Roberts gave up one hit in the bottom of the sixth, as the Battlers then scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but FSU wouldn't let them get any closer, taking game two with a score of 7-3.
Miller and Ernst led the way for Frostburg, each finishing with three hits and combining for three runs and five RBI as well. Gilford and Funk each recorded a pair of hits, also combining for three runs. Roberts earned the win in game two, pitching a complete game, giving up six hits and three runs, and striking out nine.
With the split, FSU goes to 22-13 on the season, while Alderson Broaddus moves to 9-25. The Bobcats will have a quick turnaround as they will travel to face Notre Dame (OH) on Saturday, April 8 with the first game of the doubleheader set for 1 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.
